Belgian bishops propose prayer for gay couples, not marriage
By Samuel Petrequin and Nicole Winfield — September 20, 2022
ROME (AP) — Belgian bishops said their proposal is part of their church’s effort to be more responsive to its gay members and to “create a climate of respect, recognition and integration,” citing Pope Francis’ call for the church to be more welcoming to gays.
Pope Francis meets transgender guests of Rome church
By Nicole Winfield — August 11, 2022
(AP) – Pope Francis welcomed another group of transgender people who found shelter at a Rome church on Wednesday, in a move that church leaders said "brought their guests hope."
Vatican says they’re gifts; Indigenous groups want them back
By Nicole Winfield — July 21, 2022
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Indigenous groups from Canada, who were shown a few items in the collection when they traveled to the Vatican last spring to meet with Francis, question how some of the works were actually acquired and wonder what else may be in storage after decades of not being on public display.
Vatican closes London property sale at a loss after scandal
By Nicole Winfield — July 1, 2022
ROME (AP) — The scandal over the London property has convulsed the Vatican for three years and prompted Pope Francis to strip the secretariat of state of its 600-million-euro asset portfolio, which had essentially operated as a sovereign wealth fund not answerable to rigorous internal or external controls.
Vatican releases pope’s Canada itinerary, a sign trip is on
By Nicole Winfield and Rob Gillies — June 23, 2022
ROME (AP) — The publication of the itinerary was delayed for nearly two weeks, leading to speculation Francis might be forced to cancel traveling to Canada as he did his before a planned July 2-7 pilgrimage to Africa.
Belgian bishop declines cardinal honor over abuse record
By Nicole Winfield — June 17, 2022
(AP) — Ghent Bishop Luc Van Looy had asked Francis for permission to decline the honor in order “to not harm victims again,” and Francis accepted the request, the bishops said in a statement.
Pope cracks down on new Catholic religious start-ups
By Nicole Winfield — June 15, 2022
ROME (AP) — Francis issued a new decree that requires prior Vatican approval for bishops to erect new associations of the faithful, often the first step in the creation of a new apostolic society or institute of consecrate life.
Pope creates, staffs committee to guide future investments
By Nicole Winfield — June 7, 2022
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis announced the first appointments Tuesday under his newly reformed Vatican bureaucracy, tapping a trusted cardinal and outside financial experts to serve on a new investment committee. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who leads the Vatican’s laity office and is also the “camerlengo” who runs the Vatican in between pontificates, will head […]
Vatican’s Pius XII archives begin to shed light on WWII pope
By Nicole Winfield — June 7, 2022
VATICAN CITY (AP) — A new book, citing recently opened Vatican archives, suggests the lives the Vatican worked hardest to save were Jews who had converted to Catholicism or were children of Catholic-Jewish 'mixed marriages'.
